Okada, Teruo (Oral history)

Japanese officer served as intelligence officer with 15th Army, Imperial Japanese Army in Burma, 1942-1945

REEL 1 Recollections of operations as intelligence officer with 15th Army, Imperial Japanese Army in Burma, 1942-1945: lack of specialist jungle warfare training for Japanese; Japanese ability to operate in jungle; discipline in Japanese Army; internal problems during planning for attack on Imphal, India; reaction to British resistance at Kohima, India, 1944; effects of being caught in monsoon; problems operating in monsoon; effect of Chindit expeditions in Burma, 1943-1944; treatment for wounded; ethos of Japanese troops; importance of night fighting training; contrast between fighting Chinese and Allied troops; opinion of British officers and troops; attitude towards jungle. REEL 2 Continues: surviving in jungle; effects of lack of medical supplies; attitude of some Japanese officers towards westerners; reaction to order not to throw lives away uselessly, early 1945; military training prior to joining army; Japanese military discipline; preparations for suicide missions; thousand stitch belt worn and his reaction to being given one; reiteration of military training received prior to joining army; reciting soldier's creed; off duty activities in Burma; story of punishment of Japanese troops after surrender; Japanese need for toilet privacy.